5 Tips for Making your UK Holidays Really Great

One thing is for sure - you'll be made very welcome

UK holidays vary so much and therefore they require specific planning.

When I am thinking about my holidays I never forget the important things, I am more than capable of finding and booking flights, or train tickets, but I often mess up on the small details.

Once I went to Bangladesh, which was very exciting, but I suffered greatly because I had nothing made of cotton to wear, which made the heat unbearable! So I ended up wearing men's clothes!

That was a long time ago and I have learned a lot since then, and I can tell you that UK holidays need specific planning and attention to detail too. What you need to make your holiday really great boils down to some very simple things.

Are you planning a trip in the United Kingdom?

1. UK holidays | Adventure Travel | Responsible Travel

Stonehenge | Source

Travel Responsibly

My husband and I love nothing more than heading off on trips in Britain. In no time at all we can leave London behind us and surround ourselves by beautiful countryside. It doesn't matter which direction we go, but usually we head up north because Scotland beckons! So we are free spirits and enjoy traveling together with our son.

But there are very many ways of seeing this beautiful part of Europe and I urge you to travel thoughtfully! When you choose a travel company, make sure it has a responsible travel policy.

Adventure travel is doing an amazing job of putting right the enormous harm that the mass tourist industry has done. If you are going to have a holiday in the UK then consider going with an adventure travel company.

Adventure travel differs from ordinary tourist holidays because it is concerned about the environment and the people who live in the places we visit. Adventure travel companies with sound responsible travel policies in place are the ones we should be supporting.

They are great fun you will travel in very small groups of like-minded people, you will have an expert guide who knows about the places you will visit like the back of their hand -so they really care about them -they know how to make sure you will be leaving only your footprint behind!

Below is a link to a fantastic adventure travel company that specializes in walking and cycling holidays all over the UK - for example.

2. Plan Carefully Before you Set Off - the UK can be very expensive!

Be Prepared

It is a fact that people are at their happiest when they’re planning their next holiday however, that’s not the only reason why you should do this and actually planning properly is essential!

Yes this is basic, but it's easy to get carried away and take off unprepared only to end up in difficulties!

So the best thing to do is plan your trip in some detail before you leave home. This is exciting, a bit like living it all before you get there. It's a great way to pass cold winter days!

When you’re at home you can research things properly with your computer at hand.

I guarantee that if you start your trip without doing your homework you will miss so many things that will be just around the corner!

Also, by planning well you’ll find things that interest you.

You will need to know about practical things like what is the weather likely to be? What should you pack? Basic – I think so – but I’m trying to save you some cash here. Waterproof clothes cost a lot more in small specialist shops in the Lake District than they do online.

It’s nice to travel from town to town in the UK and if you’re coming from southern Europe the whole experience should be quite calm and relaxing as long as you don't make expensive mistakes with where you sleep, how you travel and where you eat. It doesn’t matter how well you plan – you can always change your mind when you’re there – it won’t be written on tablets of stone!

3. Buy an up to date guidebook - Don't skimp on this

Scotland | Source

It’s amazing how many people travel without a good travel guide or buy ones that are out of date because they are cheaper.

If they're not up to date then they're almost useless.You will not find what they recommend because it'll probably be gone! The prices will be different too.

Make sure you have a new map too, things in Britain change very rapidly - new roads, signs, hotels,etc spring up all the time. Nothing is constant here.

I recommend Lonely Planet Publications, because they have been publishing guidebooks with very detailed maps for over 35 years and they use real travelers to source their information. The guides are really detailed, and the facts will always be up to date. They have accommodation and eateries that are in the mid to low budget category. They also have useful travel tips.

4. Taking the Kids

Mare with her Foal | Source

There are many things to do all over Britain for families on holiday. You will never be stuck for something to do during the day, even if the weather is dire because the UK is set up for family vacations in bad weather!

However, if you go somewhere that is not expecting children then be prepared for strange looks. I’m afraid the culture of ‘children must be seen and not heard’ still prevails. My advice is to take your kids where they are expected to be seen.

Also, children are not expected to be seen after about 8 pm even in the summer months. It is not like Europe where they stay up and play till midnight.

Children are not allowed in pubs. The youngest age is 16 but they must be accompanied by an adult. Pubs that serve food will allow children in at lunchtime and early evening. Many country pubs have playgrounds attached to them.

Always take every safety precaution. Do not leave your children unattended, make sure you have a family noise like a special whistle you make if you get separated and tell your children exactly where you are heading when you’re on the move.

5. Strike up Conversations with People

Source

Talk to People

People in the UK are very friendly and interested in visitors, even though they may not appear so at first sight. They are not gregarious or loud by nature, but they are typically very considerate and like to be helpful. People enjoy helping folk out.

So if you arrive in a new place and you would like to know something then just ask someone. Don’t be scared, you’ll be surprised at the reaction you get!

Once on our way up to Scotland we decided to stop and camp in England because the rain was pouring down and it was very windy! We came across a very small campsite and pitched our tent during a break in the rain and settled down. It wasn't until then that we noticed another very small tent in the field with us.

After a little while a woman came out of the tent and braved the weather to bring us 2 huge mugs of steaming hot tea! Now wasn't that kind and considerate! She asked us if we'd seen a man on a bicycle on the road, and it turned out that she was waiting for her husband to arrive for a pit stop because he was cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats - I've always wanted to do that!

Also, they were muscle farmers who lived on the Shetland Isles!! They told us what a wonderful place it is and that the way of life there was absolutely idyllic. The Shetlands have been on my bucket list for a very long time!

It was so nice meeting these incredibly adventurous people - so do take time to strike up conversation.

As someone who was born and brought up in the UK I can confirm that this is a very useful guide. Most of all, visit places you're interested in not just where everyone else goes - there's so much variety and history, along with child-firendly places and beautiful vistas, there's something for everyone. Enjoy your time in the UK! :0)

AUTHOR

Giovanna

4 years agofrom Perth UK

@Vantis: Great -let me now when you decide to come over! Thanks for your visit.

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